Florentino "Dong" Galang Lavarias is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic church. He is the fourth and current archbishop of San Fernando. He succeeded Paciano Aniceto as the Archbishop of San Fernando. He is also the sede vacante apostolic administrator of Balanga in Bataan during the transition from Bishop Ruperto Santos to his successor in office as the diocese's bishop since July 22, 2023. Prior to his installation as Archbishop of San Fernando, he previously served as fourth bishop of Iba in Zambales from September 1, 2004 to October 27, 2014.


Florentino Lavarias

Metropolitan Archbishop of San Fernando
Apostolic Administrator of Balanga
Archbishop Lavarias during the Rite of Canonical Possession at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando.
ChurchCatholic
ArchdioceseSan Fernando
AppointedJuly 25, 2014
InstalledOctober 27, 2014
PredecessorPaciano Aniceto
Other post(s)Sede vacante Apostolic Administrator of Balanga (2023‍–‍present)
Previous post(s)Bishop of Iba (2004‍–‍2014)
Orders
Ordination25 September 1985
by Oscar Cruz
Consecration12 August 2004
by Antonio Franco
Personal details
Born (1957-03-14) March 14, 1957 (age 67)
Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines
Education
MottoVoluntas Tua Delectatio Mea
(Latin for 'Your Will is My Delight' – Psalms 40:8)
SignatureFlorentino Lavarias's signature
Coat of armsFlorentino Lavarias's coat of arms
Styles of
Florentino G. Lavarias
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

Biography

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Lavarias was born on March 14, 1957, in Santa Ines, Mabalacat. He graduated in college at the Holy Angel University in 1978 before entering the San Carlos Seminary. He was ordained a priest on September 26, 1985, at the Our Lady of Grace Parish. He served various parishes under the Archdiocese of San Fernando. He was appointed bishop of Iba. He was consecrated on August 12, 2004, at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando. His consecrator was then the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Antonio Franco, while his co-consecrators were Paciano Aniceto and Gaudencio Rosales .[1]

On October 27, 2014, Lavarias succeeded Paciano Aniceto as the latter resigned as Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga due to the age limit after being appointed by Pope Francis three months earlier on July 25, 2014.[2]

Due to the departure of Ruperto Santos to become fifth Bishop of Antipolo covering Marikina in Metro Manila and the province of Rizal on July 22, 2023 which ended his term as fourth bishop of Balanga, Lavarias was appointed by Pope Francis as sede vacante apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Balanga where he currently holds the position while awaiting for the installation of Santos' successor as the diocese's fifth bishop.

References

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  1. ^ "MOST REV. FLORENTINO G. LAVARIAS, D.D."
  2. ^ Melo M. Acuna (July 25, 2014). "New San Fernando archbishop, Dipolog bishop named". CBCP News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop of San Fernando
October 27, 2014–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Victor C. Ocampo
November 4, 2009–July 8, 2010
(Socrates VillegasRuperto Santos)
Sede vacante Administrator of Balanga
Apostolic Administrator

July 22, 2023–present
(Ruperto SantosTBA)
Incumbent